NEWS ARCHIVE 2001


 
Wallington fete on 12 June 2004 held a surprise in store for many when several of its inhabitants who had never sung in a choir entertained us as part of the Wallington Wailers. They were so successful that encores were called for. They were led by Charlie Thomson who hopes to organise a capella (without accompaniment) choir from September to perform for Christmas. If you are from the villages and are interested in joining call him on 01462 630282. Meanwhile to get an idea of his particular brand of singing he holds a harmony singing workshop on the first Saturday of each month from 10.30am to 1pm at Howgills (the Friends' Meeting House) 42, South View Letchworth, cost £7.50, £5.00 concessions.
 

Click for PhotosThe children (and adults) of the Rushden Mothers and Toddlers group were enjoying themselves preparing for the Christingle service.  This was held at St. Marys, Rushden at 3.30 p.m. on Sunday 9th December. Click here for some photos.

Carol singing raised over £200. Thanks to all who sang and all those who gave so generously. Andy would be proud of us. Click here for some photos

Paul and Mary Ann Haskings are pleased to announce the arrival of their first child, Matthew Reece Haskings. Matthew was born in the Lister Hospital on 20th November 2001, weighing 5lb 12oz. Mum and baby are both well.

Tudor food evening Caroline Yeldham proved a definite draw for foodies and historians alike on Friday 16th November at the Village Hall. The parsnip fritters in particular went down very well. We learnt that vegetables weren't as badly thought of by the Tudors as we had been led to believe and also ways to escape eating salt cod. Over £100 was raised towards the Church and several people commented at the end how good it was to have something so completely different as a fundraiser. Thank you Caroline and all those who came. Click to see the photos

All of Rushden was shocked and saddened to hear of the death of David Hodge on Thursday 1st November 2001. The village mourns the loss of a man who loved Rushden and had worked hard for the village over the years, both in his capacity as erstwhile Parish Councillor and as local farmer and villager.  We send our sympathy to Vicky and her family at this time.

It's Rushden website's first birthday and already we've been visited by over 2000 people, that's ten visits for each head of population. We hope you've all enjoyed visiting us and will continue to do so.


It's you we are running it for. If you want to say Happy Birthday to us we'll be delighted to hear from you. Why not visit the Discussions page and wish us Happy Birthday.

 

Not only is it Rushden's first birthday, but we have just found out that we were village website of the month in September.

 

This is a well maintained and popular village web site with strong local support, and well deserving of this months award.


Sandon Church saw a moving tribute to those who have died and those who continue to work to preserve peace in our world on Armistice Day. Ray Williams, Chaplain to the local branch of the RBL gave a thought provoking address telling us that it is the duty of all of us to work for peace today. We were fortunate to once more have Mortimer Rhind-Tutt to play the trumpet for the Last Post and Reveille and to join the organist in playing Haydn's Trumpet Concerto at the end of the service. During the service, offertory bowls donated in memory of John heron were presented to Sandon Church and blessed by Rev John Walker. 

 

Refreshments were served afterwards in the Village Hall where Jeff Mason, the Chairman of the local RBL thanked all those who had worked for the Branch in the last year. It was good to see well known faces and also those from the past such as John and Phyl Pedley who had travelled from Suffolk to be with us for the day and also Mervyn Williams and his wife.


Thanks to the Orpheus Choir Rushden Church is now £364.40 richer. The evening was a great success. Everyone enjoyed listening to a wide repertoire and some beautiful voices. Thanks to all those who helped. Sue Austin on the door, Ruth and Christopher West on the bar (Ruth says its her métier!) and Joanne Garrett and friends in the kitchen. Also members of the PCC and Sue Whiting for doing the salads. You did a wonderful job.  See the photos.


As a celebration of somebody's 27th birthday (yet again) Rushden Bellringers took off for an August celebration. They rang on the good 5 at St Andrew's in the delightful village of Alwalton, just to your left of the A1(M) heading North.


Lunch was at the Cuckoo Inn followed by an afternoon with Thomas the Tank Engine and his friends at the Nene Valley Railway. To prove it the Ringers had their photograph taken with Thomas and the Fat Controller, though if truth be told the Fat Controller seems to have lost a bit of eight...


Church Organ
On Wednesday 29th August, the Diocesan Organ Preservation Officer visited Rushden Church to give his views on what should be done about our church organ. He was exceedingly complimentary about the organ, but mentioned that our major problem was our old friends the bats! It was felt that a net backing and a top might help this problem and a general clean and overhaul was needed. Jean Chalk could not remember it ever being cleaned, but she did remember when it was pumped by a young boy, so we can assume it has not been done in living memory. It was suggested that a second opinion and quote was obtained for the cleaning and overhaul.

Rushden's wedding of the year took place on Saturday, July 28th in blazing sunshine and from the moment Fiona Whitton arrived in her flower bedecked Model T Ford everyone entered into the magic of the occasion. The bride's dress was made of ivory slub satin with lace overtop hand beaded by the bride's mother. It was a real village wedding with all involved (apart from the groom, Gary Murphy) having a local connection. Village Voices sang in the Church, beautifully decorated by Ann Bradley and Linda Hill, The marvellous spread in the ballroom like marquee was provided by Carol Lincoln and Oliver Glaze played with the band Pink Champagne. As evening gave way to night and the candle lit lanterns shone across the garden, the guests felt they were taking part in a beautiful fantasy. It is a day that will be remembered in the annals of Rushden for many years to come. Click here for photos of the wedding.

In response to several requests John Dingemans is selling the photos from the Dinner Dance and Auction.  They are in .jpg format (1200 x 1800 pixels) on CD and can be viewed on computer or printed out. The CD also contains a program to view them as a slide show or email them to Jessup who will send you prints in the post. In addition there are also photos of the Millennium celebrations and other Rushden events and views, some of which are on this web site. In total there are over 300 photos for the price of £10.00. All proceeds to the Rushden St. Mary's Church. Orders to john.dingemans@farmline.com or contact him direct.

The dinner dance and auction organised by Chris Thomas and committee at Bluntswood Hall was a great success, particularly for St Mary's Church as £4265 was raised from the auction and a donation of £3000 was pledged by an anonymous donor. The morning after, no doubt saw several villagers gazing at empty cheque books whilst clutching aching heads and trying to remember what they had bid for. Who did get the off loadings of the Garrett's horses at that staggering sum? The music was supplied by Pink Champagne who were fantastic and helped the real champagne to be even more enjoyable.


Thank you to all who supported the cause and to all the hard workers behind the scenes, Colin Bayles as auctioneer (someone suggested he should take it up professionally!) Chris Garrett as MC and the Smythes for their generosity in loaning Bluntswood Hall for the occasion. Click here to see the photos.


Click here for some more photosIn spite of the rain, the atmosphere at Rushden was buzzing as the Mayor from the other Rushden opened the Village Fete on Saturday 16th June. A live band played in the Hall and the fun started. Both David Cole and John Dingemans were on hand to take some excellent photos. Click here to see them.


We raised
£3,200 in spite of the atrocious weather, this includes £1,350 for the raffle. Well done everybody!!. Thankyou to everyone who came and a particular thankyou to all those who worked so hard to make it a succesful day in spite of the weather.


bellringerwedding.jpg (48023 bytes)WEDDING BELLS RING

When Rushden's Tower Secretary's goddaughter , Sarah Merriman, married Tony Barnett at neighbouring village Sandon's All Saints Church on Saturday 19 May, Sandon bellringers stepped to one side and handed the ropes to six members of Rushden's band. In the circuumstances, the band made their fee the wherewithal to toast the bride and groom, and here they are doing it. Steve White (conductor); Alan Webb; Kenneth Parker (proud godfather); Sarah
and tony Barnett; Sue Bradbury; Bob Weeden and Bernard Henbest.
(
click for larger photos)


The Commissioning Service for Rev Di Williams on Sunday 3rd June saw a clergy filled church. The Archdeacon of Hertford gave the address, which included several amusing anecdotes of life in the Ministry. We will all need to support Di in her new role as Rural Dean. We had not realised how many churches there were in her area.

Mary and Tony wish to move, but don't want to leave the area. Who will play the organ after all? Here's a poem Tony's written to say what they are looking for. Any offers?

"As One Door Closes.."
The die is cast
The house is up for sale
The parting after all these years
Could cause the shedding of sad tears
Enough to fill a pail.

But no good comes from getting damp
We must be of a sterner stamp
For though it's been a happy home
The upkeep makes our coffers groan
The olds are gone
The youngsters fled
Too big a place for just one bed.

In any case, it's what we planned
And now we're looking for a plot of land
Somewhere in the neighbourhood
Among you folks who are so good
Where a cottage might be placed
In the best environmental taste.

Were you the owner of a site
Which you believe would be just right
We could offer you a goodly sum
In fair exchange for such a plum

This opportunity, though heaven-sent
Would be subject of course, to planning consent.

 

Anyone who can help PLEASE contact the webmaster@rushdenherts.org.uk

 

 

POLICE WORLD

Hertfordshire is now to be divided into three new areas with ours, the Eastern Region being the largest and stretching from Royton in the North to Cheshunt in the South and incorporating Hitchin to the West.
CCTV is being installed in Royston and Baldock. There is to be cross border liaison with Cambridgeshire and Bedfordshire Constabulary.


There is a proposed meeting to discuss young people and their needs in the area on 8th September 2001.

25 June 2001

 

Thank you for all of your emails - I will be taking up the poor distribution of leaflets for the Ashwell public meeting with the company who provide the service.

I will ensure that you receive a copy of the minutes from the meeting in due course.  At the meeting, the issue of traffic being diverted through the village of Wallington in the event of the A507 being closed, was discussed.  The officers present undertook to raise the matter with the Road Policing Dept.

The fact that residents in Rushden and Wallington no longer have a letter from the local police officer in the gazette was also discussed.  Pc Mingay stressed the importance of the dialogue between the community and the police - I will forward your email to him.

Annie Saunders (click on name to send e-mail)
Hertfordshire Police Authority


Click here to access Edward Hill's bookEdward Hill has very kindly allowed us to link to his fascinating 'Recollections of Rushden' history, which he has loaded onto the internet. This is a site that anyone and everyone living in Rushden should visit.


 

 

18 June 2001

 

Dear Residents of Rushden

My name is Annie Saunders, I am the Communications Officer for Hertfordshire Police Authority and have responsibility for organising public consultation.  At the Public Meeting held in Ashwell on 13 June, two
residents of Rushden mentioned that they would appreciate better notification of meetings.  I was concerned to hear that they had not received fliers through the door inviting them to attend the meeting.  The Public Meeting had been organised for the residents of the villages of Ashwell, Barkway, Barley, Bygrave, Caldecote, Hinxworth, Kelshall, Newnham, Nuthampstead, Radwell, Reed, Rushden, Sandon, Therfield and Wallington and the distribution company had been instructed to deliver fliers to all households within these villages.

I would be grateful if residents could advise me whether or not they received fliers through their doors.

I apologise to those who were not aware of the Public Meeting and therefore missed the opportunity to have their say about local policing issues.

Thank you for your help.

Regards

Annie Saunders (click on name to send e-mail)
Hertfordshire Police Authority


In addition to their bell ringing activities, the ringers would like to recommend the Red Lion at Dunston and The Royal Oak at Scopwick, not to mention the King's Arms at Wing, where they enjoyed lunch with Lesley Heron.


They thoroughly enjoyed all the churches rung at, particularly St Michael and All Angels at Stragglethorpe and would like to thank all those who made them so welcome in their travels. 

 

They would also like to remind readers of this page about the Annual Rushden Grand Village Mystery Outing on Saturday 22nd September.


Commissioning Service for the Rev Di Williams as Rural Dean of Buntingford will be held at All Saints Church, Sandon on Sunday 3rd June at 6.30pm, followed by wine and nibbles.

 

 

 

POLICE NOTICE

No sooner was PC Nick Eliason appointed than he was reappointed to Letchworth, so we are once more without a community liaison officer. Notwithstanding this problem, the Police have promised to regularly Email us their updated newsletter. Their latest one tells us that crime is down in all of North Herts, but warns everyone to protect their vehicles against car theft, including cars that ram others from the back and then when the driver stops, steal their belongings. 

 

A red Vauxhall cavalier with an F registration is being used by an active burglar so watch out.


SPEED RESTRICTIONS

Signs have now gone up in the village for planning permission for the 30mph speed limit.


We're on our way at last!


Stile EndThis picture of Stile End has kindly been given us by Bill Skipp, who is researching the background to his family. He recently visited Rushden and found Stile Cottage to have changed very little since the photo was taken over 100 years ago. The two people in the photo (click on photo for a larger image) are Bill's great grandmother Jane Dowler (married to Alfred Skipp) and Jane's mother who was married to William Dowler.